Sanju Samson Seeks Exit from Rajasthan Royals Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction: Report

Sanju Samson's future with Rajasthan Royals (RR) appears uncertain, with the franchise captain expressing his desire to part ways ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. According to ESPNcricinfo, Samson communicated his wish to leave shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 season.

The Royals, who wrapped up their season review in June, are yet to make a final call on the matter. Sources suggest the team is still exploring ways to persuade their long-time skipper to continue. RR lead owner Manoj Badale declined to comment on the situation, but the eventual decision will rest with him in consultation with head coach Rahul Dravid.

If the franchise agrees to release Samson, two possibilities emerge - placing him in the auction pool or negotiating a trade with another team. A trade could be structured as either a player exchange or a cash-only deal, but under IPL regulations, the final choice remains with the team management.

Samson's association with RR dates back to 2013, where he played three consecutive seasons before a two-year stint with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals). He returned to Jaipur in 2018 and, in 2021, was entrusted with the captaincy. Under his leadership, RR reached the IPL final in 2022 - their first since lifting the trophy in the inaugural 2008 season. That year, Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal were standout performers, clinching the Orange and Purple caps respectively. However, both were released ahead of the 2025 mega auction. Samson himself was among six retained players last year, with a contract worth ₹18 crore.

The 2025 campaign proved challenging for both Samson and the Royals. A side strain limited him to just nine matches, with Riyan Parag stepping in as stand-in captain. RR ended the season ninth on the points table, managing only four wins from 14 games.

Currently, Samson is undergoing a scheduled training programme at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, part of a pool of players identified by the national selectors. He is expected to feature in the Asia Cup in the UAE starting September 9. Before that, he will represent Kochi Blue Tigers in the Kerala Cricket League, where he recently became the tournament's highest-priced player at ₹26.8 lakh.

RR have until November - the IPL retention deadline - to decide on their skipper's fate.